Mail-box switch



J. P. GENNOY MAIL BOX SWITCH FiledDec. 9, 2

Jan. 3, 1928.

INVENTOR JO/l/Y MTfl/CA any/10X v BY w vv\ ATTORNEY Patented Jan. 3, 1928.

UNITED STATES JOHN PATRICK GENNOY, OF OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA.

MAIL-BOX SWITCH.

Application filed December 9, 1922. Serial No. 606,012.

My invention is an improved a-larm mail box.

The object of my invention is to provide a means whereby a signal is given when mail is 5 placed into the box. I

In the drawing in which my invention is illustrated, the figure is a longitudinal sectional view of my improved alarm mail box.

Referring more particularly to the drawing, the numeral 1 indicates a mail box of a well known type having a hinged top 2 and a. mail slot 3 in said top. A contact arm l is hung on a pin 5 in the wall of the box 1. The arm is bent inwardly near its center into the path of the entering mail. The lower end of said arm is adapted to form contact with a terminal plate 6 which is mounted on an insulating block 7 on the Wall of the box 1. The arm 4 hangs free from the pin 5 and a very slight pressure will swing it into contact with the terminal plate (3. It a very great pressure is exerted against the arm 4 by a. heavy package, the arm will spring downwardly off of the contact 6 and stop the ringing of the bell. This will also occur it a large package is left in the slot 3. Thus the bell will not ring continuously.

A lead 8 extends from the pin 5't0 a hell 9. A lead 10 extends from the other bell terniinal to one terminal of a battery 11 and a lead 12 extends from the other terminal to the contact plate 6.

A bottom spring contact plate 13 is secured to the box 1.. An adjustable contact screw 15 extends through the bottom of the box 1 and is adjusted so as to leave a small gap under the plate 13. WVhen a letter is dropped into the box the plate 13 forms contact with the screw 15. A lead 16 extends from the screw 15'to a switch 17 which is normally left open and a] lead 18 extends from the i switch to the lead 8. A lead 19 extends from the plate 13 to the lead 12.

It will thus be seen that the insertion of a piece of mail will cause a short ring of the bell by reason of the contact of the arm 4 with plate 6. In case this short ring is not heard, the patron may test the box for mail by closing switch 17, thuscausing the bell to ring if there is any mail resting on the plate 13. In both circuits, there is little probability of the bell being caused to ring continuously, thus exhausting the battery.

Having described my invention, I claim:

The combination with a mail box Having an opening therein for receiving mall, of a spring terminal disposed in said box and adjacentto said opening for being actuated when mail is inserted through the opening, a fixed terminal adapted to be momentarily contacted by said first named terminal when said first named terminal is depressed by a piece of mail and then to remain free of said fixed terminal even though said movable terminal continues to be depressed.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

JOHN PATRICK GENNOY. 

